Thank you to the Eagle and Condor Indigenous Peoples Alliance led by JoKay Dowell (Cherokee & Quapah) and Camp SevenStar. Movement Rights and our partners are excited to support the 2nd Convening of the Four Winds: Listening to the Waters Speak on Earth Day Weekend, April 22-23, 2023 on Lake Tenkiller.

Thank you to our generous sponsors! 

To find out how you can sponsor please contact: Shannon@movementrights.org. We are still accepting sponsors! 

Background

In Oklahoma alone, there are thousands of miles of fresh water that run through the territories of 39 tribes and non-tribal communities on its way to neighboring states. That water is under threat from many sources including fossil fuels, mining, dewatering, industrial agriculture and other toxic industries. There are many solutions to the water crisis, but all of them require us to come together regionally as water protectors and share those solutions. On Mother’s Day in 2021, the Pa’thata Women’s Society of the Ponca tribe of OK held a Water Ceremony on Ponca powwow grounds to recognize the Rights of Rivers that flow from upstream from Nebraska, through Ponca lands, and down through the state and beyond. In July of 2022, the Ponca Business Council unanimously adopted the “Immutable Rights of Rivers” into tribal law, vowing to protect , Ní’skà, (the Arkansas River) and Ni’ží’dè,(the Salt Fork River) that give life to all living things. No Ponca family is untouched by fossil fuel-related illnesses and deaths. Ponca Chairman Oliver Littlecook says, “Politicians and Big Oil call it ‘economic progress’. The Ponca call it ‘environmental genocide’. We can do better for our communities without sacrificing the water.”

Not all tribes and communities agree on the role of fossil fuels and heavy industry, but we can all come together to protect the water. Sparked by the wisdom of Indigenous women including Casey Camp Horinek, the late Joye Braun, Pennie Opal Plant and others, the plan came together to host 4 regional gatherings representing the 4 Directions (or Winds) to Listen to the Waters Speak.

The first gathering was hosted by the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma, September 21-22, 2022 on the Fall Equinox. Well over 100 mostly Indigenous water protectors from the Plains region and beyond gathered bringing water from their lands to share in a powerful Water Ceremony, and to share strategies for water protection. We laid down prayers for the Water and trusted that the waters would bring tribal people from other Nations to host the next Convening. Details are below. If you are in need of a scholarship please make sure to fill out the bottom of the registration form. 

 

Location and Lodging

Location: 

  • The event will be held on Lake Tenkiller at Camp SevenStar Experiential Learning Center. Address below.
  •  Onsite lodging (camping/dormitories) is available starting Friday April 21.
  • Onsite Dormitory Lodging (opens Friday April 21,  3 pm): Three shared rooms (12 single beds each room) designated as Women’s, Men’s and Gender Neutral dorms. Prioritized for scholarship recipients. Please bring your own pillows and bedding. Limited sleeping bags can be provided on a case by case basis only in advance (as needed).

Free camping: Basic camping available at SevenStar Experiential Learning Center  (bathrooms and access to showers and firewood available)

SevenStar Experiential Learning Center: 33109 S 509 Rd, Park Hill, OK 7445 

 https://goo.gl/maps/P1r75vtoxjCC5ta1A

RVs or Car Camping: You can park onsite near the campgrounds. Please note there are no RV hookups but there are showers, water, and other accommodations.

Hotel Reservations: 

Best Western NSU Inn 101 Reasor St, Tahlequah, OK 74464 Phone(918) 431-0600 

Limited lodging scholarships are available. Lodging scholarships include dorms and hotel rooms. Considerations for hotel rooms will be prioritized for elders, people with health conditions or impairments, and travel distance. 

Scholarships

We will be providing scholarships for food, gas, travel expenses, and lodging. In order to be considered for the scholarship you must fill out all questions at the bottom of the registration. If you have any questions please reach out to shannon@movementrights.org

April 22nd

Celebration of Water 

Sevenstar Learning Center 
10 am – 4 pm

  • Water Ceremony led by Casey Camp Horinek (Ponca) Everyone is welcome to bring water from home
  •  Community Lunch provided
  • Speakers & strategy sessions including: Indigenous-led Rights of Rivers; Jobs: From Fossil
  • Fuels to Just Transition; National and local organizing for a fossil free future; Indigenous
  • Strategies for water protection, and more!
  • Cultural Exchange Night and campfire (after 4 PM)

April 23rd

Taking action for the water 

Sevenstar Learning Center 
10 am – 4 pm

  •  Trainings include: Non-Violent Direct Action Trainings, Art-builds, Kayak-tivism, youth-leadership* (subject to change)
  •  Event T-shirt giveaway and Community meal provided
  •  Water Testimonies will be filmed
Event is hosted by the Eagle & Condor Peoples’ Alliance, held at Camp SevenStar on Lake
Tenkiller. Event is sponsored by Movement Rights, Ponca Pa’thata Women’s Society,
Indigenous Environmental Network, Fossil Free Media, 350.org and more to come.

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